Uncontrolled Outdoor Access for Cats: An Assessment of Risks and Benefits
| Autor: | Sarah M. L. Tan, Lee Niel, Anastasia C. Stellato |
|---|---|
| Rok vydání: | 2019 |
| Předmět: |
0106 biological sciences
enrichment 040301 veterinary sciences injury media_common.quotation_subject Wildlife Review parasites 010603 evolutionary biology 01 natural sciences outdoor Predation 0403 veterinary science Environmental health lcsh:Zoology lcsh:QL1-991 Risks and benefits media_common disease lcsh:Veterinary medicine CATS General Veterinary behavior cats 04 agricultural and veterinary sciences welfare lcsh:SF600-1100 Animal Science and Zoology Business predation Welfare |
| Zdroj: | Animals : an Open Access Journal from MDPI Animals, Vol 10, Iss 2, p 258 (2020) |
| ISSN: | 2076-2615 |
| Popis: | Simple Summary Outdoor access for companion cats is a controversial topic. Some have suggested that outdoor access can negatively impact the welfare of companion cats through increased risks of disease and parasites, injury or death due to traffic, predation or ingestion of toxins, and becoming lost. In addition, cats can negatively influence their environments due to the predation of small birds and mammals, and they are sometimes a nuisance to human neighbors. Despite these concerns, recent estimates suggest that many owners still allow their cats outside, likely because it also provides cats with exercise, and allows them to perform natural behaviors, such as hunting, exploring, and climbing. While some suggest that cats need outdoor access, others recommend ways for cats to meet these needs indoors by providing enrichment and properly supervising cats during outdoor access. This review examines the risks and benefits associated with outdoor access for cats, as well as what is currently known about peoples’ practices, knowledge, and attitudes about the provision of outdoor access for cats. Abstract Uncontrolled outdoor access is associated with a number of welfare concerns for companion cats, including increased risks of disease and parasites, injury or death due to traffic, predation or ingestion of toxic substances, and getting permanently separated from their owner. In addition, cats pose a threat to local wildlife due to predatory behaviors, and can sometimes be a nuisance to human neighbors. Despite these concerns, recent estimates suggest that many owners are still providing their cats with uncontrolled outdoor access, likely because it also offers welfare benefits by allowing cats to perform natural behaviors, such as hunting, exploring, and climbing. While some have suggested that outdoor access is necessary to meet cats’ behavioral needs and to prevent related behavioral problems, others have recommended various environmental enrichment strategies that can be developed to meet these needs within an indoor environment or through supervised and controlled outdoor access. This review examines the welfare issues and benefits associated with outdoor access for cats, as well as what is currently known about peoples’ practices, knowledge, and attitudes about the provision of outdoor access for cats. |
| Databáze: | OpenAIRE |
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